Coach Mark Turgeon was frustrated after his Maryland men’s basketball team beat Saint Peter’s on Saturday afternoon. The Peacocks whittled down the Terps’ comfortable halftime lead thanks to a second-half slump.
It prompted the sixth-year leader to declare he wouldn’t choose his lineups based on “equal opportunity. But against Jacksonville State on Monday night, the Terps maintained a deep rotation.
Nine players finished with double-digit minutes. Guard Jared Nickens, who didn’t take off his warmup until four minutes elapsed in the second half, was the lone rotational player to not reach the benchmark. Six players reached double figures.
Guard Melo Trimble starred, finishing with 23 points on 6 of 7 shooting.
The Terps are assured similar outings from Trimble as competition stiffens in conference play, but the same isn’t true of the other contributors. Still, Turgeon is pleased that several players have shown they’re capable of stepping up in various situations.
“That’s what I like about this team,” Turgeon said. “We’ve got a lot of weapons.”
And now for the grades in the 92-66 win against the program Turgeon started his head-coaching career.
Guard Melo Trimble: A
Two days after posting a season-low five points, the junior was perfect on his five looks from the field, including three beyond the arc, in the opening period. Trimble’s been earning open looks all season, but Monday night, they fell. Turgeon thinks the connections will spark confidence and rhythm for his leader, and the Terps should hope the momentum stays through the team’s week-long finals break.
Guard Kevin Huerter: A-
Huerter hoisted two shots, each from three-point range. Neither went in, yet Turgeon commended the rookie’s performance. He totaled five rebounds, three assists, one block and three steals. Late in the first half, Huerter barreled into paint, nabbed the rebound off the Terps’ missed foul shot and tossed the ball to Trimble for a trey.
“That was terrific,” Turgeon said, “and we know Kevin’s going to score for us.”
Forward Michal Cekovsky: B
It’s no longer a surprise when Cekovsky reaches double-digits in scoring. The Terps relied on his paint presence to power through the Gamecocks and overcome an early deficit, and he responded with 15 points, including a mid-range jumper Turgeon said he’s connected on in practice but hadn’t attempted in live action. He tallied four rebounds, a block and a steal but needs to improve his defensive physicality.
Guard Anthony Cowan: B+
The freshman logged a team-high 29 minutes, finished with 12 points and connected on his two looks from deep. His natural leadership while directing the offense and his quick defensive moves are an asset to the team’s cohesion and have relieved some of the pressure on Trimble. He looks ready for an increase in competition.
Guard Dion Wiley: B+
Midway through the second half, the redshirt sophomore fed Cekovsky for a dunk. Then he returned to the offensive end to sink a 3-pointer. The sequence highlighted the role Wiley can have on this team, but Turgeon has acknowledged he’s still regaining his form from last year’s meniscus tear. Still, Wiley, who logged 13 points in 18 minutes, made an impressive steal off Maryland’s press and added three boards and two assists for his best performance this season.
